Donna Russell Anderson's Obituary
Brave WarriorDonna AndersonHer Life Ended July 3, 2012Donna is survived by her daughter Kelly Russell, her husband Jim Anderson, his three children and spouses, David & Jennifer Anderson, Trevor & Katy Anderson, Julie & Marc de Bourbon, five grandchildren, Michael, Thomas & Caroline de Bourbon, Lanea Anderson and Georgia Anderson, her sister and husband Linda & David Roscoe, and her dog Teddy. Her grandchildren loved spending time with their 'Nonna Donna.'Donna was born June 29, 1950 in Dayton, Ohio to Graham and Doris Whipple. Her family moved to California when she was five. In 1967 she graduated from Encina High in Sacramento (where she was captain of the JV cheer leaders) then from UC Berkeley in 1971. After a brief stint with the Miller Star & Regalia law firm she enrolled in and received her MBA from UC Berkeley Business School. She went to work for Touche Ross where she became one of the first female managers for a 'Big 8' CPA firm in the Bay Area. Living as a single mom after 1980, she and her daughter Kelly called themselves 'Partners in Possibilities.'She married Jim in 1991, shortly after which she started playing tennis and was captain of her Oakland Hills tennis team for six years. She loved to compete! Donna was diagnosed with MS in 2004. She started practicing yoga and was so inspired by her teacher (Raleigh Wills) and the benefits of yoga that she enrolled in a teacher training program so that she could help others. She taught yoga right up to the end, appreciating the contribution she could make. She loved singing with the World Harmony Chorus and volunteering with Girls Inc., mainly teaching yoga to young girls. She enjoyed hiking and was an avid and excellent bridge player. She was vivacious, active, outgoing and lived a very full life until MS finally took its toll. She will be greatly missed.Services to celebrate Donna's life will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at 1:30 on Friday, July 27, 2012. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Donna Anderson Accessible Yoga Scholarship Fund, c/o Reverend Jivana Heyman, San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute, 770 Dolores St, SF 94110 or to Girls Inc, 13666 E. 14th St, San Leandro, 94578.
What’s your fondest memory of Donna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donna?
Share a story where Donna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donna you’ll never forget.
How did Donna make you smile?